State Journal: Unity's choice; Bake ban collapses

In New Hampshire, a state known for its tight-fisted approach to
education funding, a $10 million windfall in school aid would seem like
something that would generate good feeling all around.

The plans of three districts for spending their share of the money
have stirred controversy, however, and led to a court setback for state
officials.

Lawmakers this summer passed the additional money, with the
understanding that it would be used to lower property taxes, according
to Jim Rivers, a spokesman for Gov. Steve Merrill.

Nevertheless, the Claremont and Cornish districts scheduled special
town meetings to let voters decide if they wanted to apply the funds
toward local deficits, while the Unity district proposed using its
$11,000 supplement to buy computers to comply with state standards.

The attorney general's office sought to block the meetings,
contending that the funds could only be used for tax relief.
State officials eventually worked out a compromise with Claremont and
Cornish, under which the funds would only be used for deficit
reduction, but remained at odds with Unity.

A special meeting could only be called in an emergency, and buying
computers "is certainly not an emergency,'' Mr. Rivers said.

A court ruled this month for Unity, saying that the bill did not
specify how the funds were to be used and that the unexpected receipt
of funds created a legitimate emergency.

"The taxpayers of Unity are in the best position to decide ...
whether these unexpected funds should be used to buy computers for the
school system or to reduce property taxes,'' the court held.

A Nevada decree banning school bake sales has collapsed like an
overcooked souffle.

Last month, the state health office issued a directive to schools
limiting food preparation to the cafeteria and home-economics
classrooms. The edict sought to protect students from home-cooked or
classroom-prepared items that might contain "potentially hazardous
foods.''

No sooner had the school year begun than parents were complaining
about canceled potlucks and fund-raisers.

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